The absence of Wicked: For Good from the best picture nominations raised eyebrows this year. On a brighter note, Amy Madigan’s compelling portrayal of the antagonist in Weapons earned her a well-deserved nomination. Overall, the nominations mostly aligned with industry forecasts.

As expected, all the fan-favorite TV shows received nominations.

Every year, the Golden Globes face criticism for their rigid categorization of films and TV shows into either drama or “musical or comedy.” Additionally, the distinction between “supporting” and lead actors often sparks debate.

One Battle After Another was widely seen as a frontrunner in the awards race, and it lived up to those expectations.

This film, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio in a standout role as a well-meaning but inept revolutionary entangled in a web of political intrigue, is supported by a cast of strong, complex female characters. It’s currently available for streaming, albeit at cinema-like prices.

It will return to select IMAX theatres on December 11 for a week; few tickets remain.

The gorgeous Joachim Trier film Sentimental Value, which received multiple nominations, tracks the relationship between a distressed, easily panicked actress and her callous film director father – plus the life of their family’s house as well.

In addition to an unbelievable performance by Renate Reinsve in the lead role, the film also has Elle Fanning absolutely nailing the role of an American actress pushed to the levels of her comfort and talent.

It seems like a lifetime ago, but Sinners was released just back in April and voters remembered its cultural moment and box office success. The Ryan Coogler Jim-Crow-plus-vampires hit neatly mashed up the horrors of the supernatural with the horrors of the very human.

Hamnet and Wicked: For Good, representing polar opposites of the year in film, also had strong showings.

Parents were unsurprised by nominations for KPop Demon Hunters, the soundtrack of their lives since the mega-hit was released on Netflix just (can you believe it!) back in June.

There was a very important nomination for the very avatar of our age of apprehension: the terrifying clown-witch visage of Aunt Gladys in Weapons.

(One Battle, Weapons, and Sinners are produced, co-produced and/or distributed by Warner Bros Pictures, which currently shares a parent company with CNN.)

Both Severance, the eerie tribute to the awfulness of having to work, and Adolescence, the Netflix mega-smash about a teenager accused of murder, were well-recognised.

Pluribus, The Last of Us and The Pitt – all extremely stressful shows, each apocalyptic in their own way, especially about the dire state of the American health care system – performed well too.

The Golden Globes awards show, hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, will take place on Sunday, January 11, 2026, US time.

Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

Best Motion Picture, Drama

Best Director – Motion Picture

Best Male Actor – Motion Picture, Musical/Comedy

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Best Supporting Male Actor in a Motion Picture

Best Supporting Female Actor in a Motion Picture

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture

Best Motion Picture – Animated

Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language

Best Original Score – Motion Picture

Best Original Song – Motion Picture

Cinematic and Box Office Achievement

Best Television Series – Drama

Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy

Best Television Limited Series

Best Female Actor – Television – Drama

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Drama

Best Female Actor – Television, Musical or Comedy

Best Female Actor in a Limited Series

Best Male Actor – Television, Musical or Comedy

Best Supporting Female Actor – Television

Best Male Actor in a Limited Series

Best Supporting Male Actor – Television

Best Performance in Stand-up Comedy on Television